Apparatus and method for triggering an emergency call in a motor vehicle

• US 9,497,608 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Vogler, Martin, Junge, Mirko, Fichte, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Suhail
• Application Number:
  US14/524,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20150044982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/18 Prevention or correction of operating errors G08B29/02, G08B29/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for triggering an emergency call in a motor vehicle, wherein the apparatus has at least one module for setting up communication with a device outside the vehicle, wherein at least one evaluation device is assigned to the module, wherein the module automatically transmits an emergency call when at least one predefined state or event is detected, wherein the module is assigned a manual emergency call button which is connected to the module via at least one connecting line, wherein the module checks the at least one connecting line, wherein the module automatically transmits an emergency call when a defect in the at least one connecting line is detected.

Claims

1. An apparatus for triggering an emergency call in a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

at least one module for setting up communication with an off-vehicle device, the module being assigned to at least one evaluation device, the module automatically making an emergency call when at least one predefined state or event is detected; and

an emergency call button assigned and connected to the module via at least one connecting line,

wherein the module checks the at least one connecting line,

wherein the module automatically makes the emergency call when a defect in the at least one connecting line is detected,

wherein the emergency call button is placed in a roof module of the motor vehicle,

wherein the at least one connecting line is run through or on an A-pillar of the motor vehicle,

wherein a vehicle speed signal is supplied to the module, and

wherein the automatic emergency call is made only at a vehicle speed above a minimum speed.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an intent of automatically making an emergency call is signaled, and wherein an automatic calling is suppressed via at least one input.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit and/or a speech output unit, via which the intent of an automatic call is signaled.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input is configured as a button, control panel, and/or as a speech input device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predefined defect state is a line disconnect.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the line disconnect is detected by a break in a test voltage passing through the at least one connecting line.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, upon detecting the predefined defect state, the module signals to the driver an intent to automatically make a call.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event is a collision or an airbag deployment.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call button is accessible to a driver and a passenger of the motor vehicle.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimum speed and the defect in the connecting line must be present for detection of the at least one predefined state or event.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein triggering of the manual emergency call button by a driver or passenger alone initiates the emergency call.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimum speed is in a range of 5 to 15 kmh.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic emergency call is made only at the vehicle speed above the minimum speed and only after a specified time period.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the specified time period is in a range of 3 to 15 seconds.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one predefined state or event is determined based on a test current.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one predefined state or event is detected based on a change in the test current.

17. A method for triggering an automatic emergency call in a motor vehicle by at least one module for setting up communication with an off-vehicle device, the method comprising:

assigning the module to at least one evaluation device;

automatically making by the module an emergency call when at least one predefined state or event is detected;

assigning the module a manual emergency call button that is connectable to the module via at least one connecting line;

checking, via the module, the at least one connecting line;

making the emergency call when a defect in the at least one connecting line is detected,

wherein the emergency call button is placed in a roof module of the motor vehicle and the at least one connecting line is run through or on an A-pillar of the motor vehicle,

wherein a vehicle speed level is supplied to the module, and

wherein the automatic emergency call is made only at a vehicle speed above a minimum speed.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein an intent of automatically making an emergency call is signaled, and wherein an automatic calling is suppressed via at least one input.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one connecting line includes an open circuit in parallel with a diagnostic circuit.